Department of Sociology and Anthropology

Loeb Building B742
Telephone: 520-2582
Fax: 520-4062

The Department

Chair of the Department: Jacques Chevalier

Coordinator of Graduate Programs in Sociology: T.C. Caputo

Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Anthropology: Bruce Cox

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology offers programs of advanced study and research leading to the M.A. and the Ph.D. degrees in Sociology, and the M.A. in Anthropology.

The principal focus of the graduate programs in sociology is the organization and development of contemporary societies in comparative context and with particular reference to Canadian society. Specializations in theory and methodology, social stratification and power, cultural and gender studies, and in comparative institutions are offered.

The anthropology program focuses on the social and cultural Other, including its popular and scholarly representations, through current emphasis on three program concentrations:

The department strives to achieve a blend of research and formal graduate instruction in its graduate programs.

Qualifying-Year Program

Applicants with general (pass) bachelor's degrees may be admitted into a qualifying-year program designed to raise their standing to honours status. Students earning at least high honours standing in their qualifying-year courses will be considered for admission into the master's program.

Refer to the General Regulations section of this Calendar for details of the regulations governing the qualifying year.

Master of Arts in Sociology

Admission Requirements

The requirement for admission into the master's program is an honours B.A. (or the equivalent) with at least high honours standing. Where relevant, previous professional experience will be taken into account in determining an applicant's standing on admission.

The deadlines for submitting applications and supporting documents for graduate study in sociology are as follows: February 1 for students requesting financial assistance; July 1 for students not requesting financial assistance but who are seeking admission in September; and November 1 for students who are seeking admission in January.

Program Requirements

Master's students in sociology are required to select and follow one of the optional program patterns below, chosen in consultation with a graduate adviser:

Thesis Program

Research Essay Program

Course Work Program

Concentration in Quantitative Methodology

Students in either the research essay or thesis program options may pursue a concentration in quantitative methodology. For a concentration in quantitative methodology courses selected must include the following:

A feature of this program may be an internship of one or two academic terms, in which the student will gain practical experience. This is to be arranged with the student's supervisor and the graduate coordinator.

Transfer from Thesis to Course Work M.A.

Students who choose to change from the thesis to the course work program must normally do so before registering for a third term after initial, full-time registration, or before registering for a fifth term after initial part-time registration.

Academic Standing

A grade of B- or better must normally be obtained in each credit counted toward the master's degree. With the recommendation of the department, and permission of the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, a candidate may be allowed a grade of C+ in 1.0 credit (or the equivalent).

Master of Arts in Anthropology

Admission Requirements

The requirement for admission into the master's program is an honours B.A. (or the equivalent) with at least high honours standing. Where relevant, previous professional experience will be taken into account in determining an applicant's standing on admission.

The deadlines for submitting applications and supporting documents for graduate study in anthropology are as follows: February 1 for students requesting financial assistance; July 1 for students not requesting financial assistance but who are seeking admission in September; and November 1 for students who are seeking admission in January.

Program Requirements

Master's students in anthropology are required to select and follow one of the optional program patterns below, chosen in consultation with a graduate adviser:

Thesis Program

3.0 credits (or the equivalent) to include:

Course Work Program

5.0 credits (or the equivalent) excluding Anthropology 54.595, Course Work Comprehensive in Anthropology, consisting of:

Transfer from Thesis to Course Work M.A.

Students who choose to change from the thesis to the course work program must normally do so before registering for a third term after initial, full-time registration, or before registering for a fifth term after initial part-time registration.

Academic Standing

A grade of B- or better must normally be obtained in each credit counted toward the master's degree. With the recommendation of the department, and permission of the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, a candidate may be allowed a grade of C+ in 1.0 credit or each of two 0.5 credits.

Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology

The substantive focus of the Ph.D. program is the organization and development of contemporary societies, both in a comparative context and with particular reference to Canadian society.

The Ph.D. program in sociology normally will be undertaken on a full-time basis; however in exceptional cases the department will consider admission on a part-time basis.

Admission Requirements

The minimum requirement for admission into the Ph.D. program is a master's degree (or the equivalent) in sociology, normally with a minimum average of B+ in courses (including the thesis where applicable), and with no grade below B.

Applicants who have deficiencies in certain areas may be admitted to the Ph.D. program, but will normally be required to complete additional course work.

The deadlines for submitting applications and supporting documents for admission into the Ph.D. program in sociology are as follows: February 1 for students requesting financial assistance; July 1 for students not requesting financial assistance but who are seeking admission in September; and November 1 for students who are seeking admission in January.

Program Requirements

The specific program requirements of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology are the following:

Comprehensive Examinations

Each Ph.D. candidate is required to write comprehensive examinations in three of the following areas:

At least one but not all three of the examinations must be in the area of stratification and power.

Subjects of instruction and research subsumed under these four areas are:

Theory and Methodology

Stratification and Power

Cultural Studies

Comparative Institutions

Upon petition to the sociology graduate program's coordinator, an approved field in sociology or a related discipline may be substituted for one of the options above. The subjects of instruction and research subsumed under each of the areas are indicative, and may be subsumed under more than one area, depending on the analytic approach adopted.

The comprehensive examinations are to be completed after course requirements for the Ph.D. have been completed. Normally comprehensive examinations must be completed no later than two years or six terms after initial full-time registration, and four years or twelve terms after initial part-time registration.

The thesis proposal is to be presented after comprehensive requirements have been completed. Normally the thesis proposal must be presented no later than two and one-half years or seven terms after initial full-time registration and five years or fifteen terms after initial part-time registration.

Language Requirement

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology requires each Ph.D. candidate to demonstrate an understanding of a language other than English. Although French is the preferred second language, students may be permitted to substitute another language if it is demonstrably relevant to their professional interests. It is strongly advised, however, that all English-speaking candidates be proficient in French. The language requirements may be satisfied by a demonstration of reasonable understanding, on sight, of material contained in selected samples of sociological literature in that language. Students may find it necessary or advisable to take a course in the required language before undertaking the departmental language examination.

Academic Standing

Candidates must obtain a minimum grade of B- in each credit, and Satisfactory on the comprehensive examinations, the Ph.D. thesis and its oral defence.

Graduate Courses*

The following is a complete list of all sociology and anthropology graduate courses. Please note that not all courses are offered every year. Students should consult the University and departmental timetables for a list of courses offered in 1996-97 and their scheduling.